Gated diode nonvolatile memory cell

ABSTRACT

A gated diode nonvolatile memory cell with a charge storage structure includes a diode structure with an additional gate terminal. Example embodiments include the individual memory cell, an array of such memory cells, methods of operating the memory cell or array of memory cells, and methods of manufacturing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electrically programmable and erasablenon-volatile memory, and more particularly to charge storage memory witha bias arrangement that reads the contents of the charge storagestructure of the memory cell with great sensitivity.

2. Description of Related Art

Electrically programmable and erasable non-volatile memory technologiesbased on charge storage structures known as EEPROM and flash memory areused in a variety of modern applications. A number of memory cellstructures are used for EEPROM and flash memory. As the dimensions ofintegrated circuits shrink, greater interest is arising for memory cellstructures based on charge trapping dielectric layers, because of thescalability and simplicity of the manufacturing processes. Variousmemory cell structures based on charge trapping dielectric layersinclude structures known by the industry names PHINES, NROM, and SONOS,for example. These memory cell structures store data by trapping chargein a charge trapping dielectric layer, such as silicon nitride. As morenet negative charge is trapped, the threshold voltage of the memory cellincreases. The threshold voltage of the memory cell is reduced byremoving negative charge from, or adding positive charge to, the chargetrapping layer.

Conventional memory cell structures rely on a transistor structure withsource, drain, and gate. However, common transistor structures havedrain and source diffusions that are laterally separated from each otherby a self-aligned gate. This lateral separation is a factor that resistsfurther miniaturization of nonvolatile memory.

Thus, a need exists for a nonvolatile memory cell that is open tofurther miniaturization and whose contents can be read with greatsensitivity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A gated diode nonvolatile memory device, an array of gated diodenonvolatile memory devices, methods of operating a gated diodenonvolatile memory device and an array of gated diode nonvolatile memorydevices, and methods of manufacturing a gated diode nonvolatile memorydevice and an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory devices, aredisclosed.

The gated diode nonvolatile memory device has a charge storagestructure, dielectric structures(s), and a diode structure. Examples ofa charge storage structure materials include floating gate material,charge trapping material, and nanocrystal material. Depending on thethreshold voltage scheme of the charge storage structure, the chargestorage state of the charge storage structure stores one bit or multiplebits.

The dielectric structures(s) are at least partly between the chargestorage structure and the diode structure, and at least partly betweenthe charge storage structure and a source of gate voltage, such as aword line. The diode structure has a first node and a second nodeseparated by a junction. Example junctions of the diode are ahomojunction, a heterojunction, and a graded heterojunction. Examplediode structure with the first node and second node, include a pn diodeand a Schottky diode. The diode is at least one of monocrystal,polycrystal, and amorphous.

The first node and the second node are at least partly adjacent to theone or more storage dielectric structures. The diode structure has across-section in which the second node has opposite sides isolated fromneighboring devices by isolation dielectric. Despite this isolationdielectric on opposite side of the second node, the second node may beconnected to neighboring devices. For example, if the neighboringdevices are also gated diode nonvolatile memory devices, a lower portionof the second node beyond the isolation dielectric may be connected toneighboring devices via a second node of each of the neighboringdevices. In this way, the same bit line combines the current flowingthrough diode structures otherwise separated by isolation dielectric. Inanother embodiment, the second node is connected to a bit line distinctfrom bit lines connected to second nodes of the neighboring devices. Inthis case, the second node does not have a lower portion beyond theisolation dielectric that is connected to neighboring devices.

Additional logic circuitry applies a bias arrangement to determine acharge storage state of the charge storage structure and to measure aread current flowing through the diode structure in reverse bias todetermine the charge storage state of the charge storage structure. Theread current includes a band-to-band read current component.

The bias arrangement applied by the logic circuitry causes multiplevoltage differences in the gated diode nonvolatile memory device, suchas a voltage difference between a source of gate voltage (typically aword line) and the second node of the diode structure, and anothervoltage difference between the first node and the second node of thediode structure. These voltage differences resulting from the biasarrangement cause sufficient band-to-band tunneling current formeasuring the read current to determine the charge storage state of thecharge storage structure. At the same time, these voltage differencesfail to change the charge storage state of the charge storage structure.In one example, the voltage difference between the gate and the secondnode is at least about 10 V, and the voltage difference between thefirst node and the second node is at least about 2V.

In addition to the bias arrangement for reading the contents of thegated diode nonvolatile memory device, other bias arrangements areapplied to change the contents of the gated diode nonvolatile memorydevice. For example, other bias arrangements adjust the charge storagestate of the charge storage structure by increasing a net positivecharge in the charge storage structure, and by increasing a net negativecharge in the charge storage structure. Example charge movementmechanisms to increase a net positive charge in the charge storagestructure are band-to-band hot hole tunneling and Fowler-Nordheimtunneling. The electron movement can be between the charge storagestructure and the diode structure, between the charge storage structureand the gate, or both.

Example charge movement mechanisms to increase a net negative charge inthe charge storage structure are band-to-band hot electron tunneling andFowler-Nordheim tunneling. The electron movement can be between thecharge storage structure and the diode structure, between the chargestorage structure and the source of gate voltage, or both.

An embodiment of a nonvolatile memory device integrated circuit includesan array of the gated diode nonvolatile memory devices. In someembodiments, to increase the storage density, multiple arrays that arevertically displaced from each other are combined. Depending on theaddressing scheme used, the sources of gate voltage (typically wordlines), the first nodes of the diode structures, and the second nodes ofthe diode structures, are interconnected between different verticallydisplaced arrays, or isolated between different vertically displacedarrays. Generally, a greater degree of interconnection simplifies theaddressing and the fabrication, at the cost of increased powerconsumption from charging and discharging extra circuitry.

In one interconnection scheme, the word lines of different arrays areinterconnected, but the first nodes and second nodes of different arraysare isolated from each other. In another interconnection scheme, theword lines of different arrays are isolated from each other, but thefirst nodes and second nodes of different arrays are interconnected. Inyet another interconnection scheme, the word lines of different arrays,and the first nodes and second nodes of different arrays are isolatedfrom each other.

Some embodiments of an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cellsinclude diode columns, gate rows, and nonvolatile storage structures.Each diode column has a first node column and a second node columnseparated by a junction. Opposite sides of the second node column areisolated from neighboring diode columns by isolation dielectric. Thegate rows overlap the diode columns at intersections. Theseintersections are the locations of the nonvolatile storage structures.Typically, these nonvolatile storage structures are part of nonvolatilestorage structure columns.

Each nonvolatile storage structure has a charge storage structure andone or more storage dielectric structures. The dielectric structures areat least partly between the charge storage structure and the particulardiode column at the intersection, at least partly between the chargestorage structure and the particular gate row at the intersection, andat least partly adjacent to the first node column and the second nodecolumn of the particular diode column at the intersection.

Despite this isolation of the second node column on opposite sides ofthe second node column, the second node column may be connected toneighboring diode columns. For example, a lower portion of the secondnode column beyond isolation dielectric may be connected to neighboringdiode columns via the second node column of the neighboring diodecolumns. In this way, the same bit line combines the current flowingthrough diode structures otherwise isolated from each other. In anotherembodiment, the second node column is connected to a bit line distinctfrom bit lines connected to second nodes columns of the neighboringdiode columns. In this case, the second node column does not have alower portion beyond isolation dielectric that is connected toneighboring diode columns.

In some embodiments, the substrate region is a well in a semiconductorsubstrate. In other embodiments, the substrate region is simply thesemiconductor substrate.

In other embodiments, the nonvolatile memory cell has a floating gatedesign or a nanocrystal design. In another embodiment, the nonvolatilememory cell has a charge trapping material design.

Application incorporates herein by reference U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/024,339 filed on 28 Dec. 2004, U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/023,747 filed on 28 Dec. 2004, U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/024,075 filed 28 Dec. 2004, U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/973,176 filed 26 Oct. 2004, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 60/608,528 filed 9 Sep. 2004, U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/608,455 filed 9 Sep. 2004, U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/973,593, filed 26 Oct. 2004, U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/191,365 filed 28 Jul. 2005, U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/191,366 filed 28 Jul. 2005, U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/191,329 filed 28 Jul. 2005, U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/191,367 filed 28 Jul. 2005, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______filed on _ (Attorney Docket No. MXIC 1641-1) and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. ______ filed on _ (Attorney Docket No. MXIC 1642-1).

Other aspects and advantages of the technology presented herein can beunderstood with reference to the figures, the detailed description andthe claims, which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are simplified diagrams of a gated diodenonvolatile memory cell, showing various charge storage structureshaving different materials.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are simplified diagrams of a gated diodenonvolatile memory cell, showing various examples of a diode structure,such as the pn diode and the Schottky diode.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatilememory cell, showing examples of a pn diode with a homojunction.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell,showing an example of a pn diode with a heterojunction.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatilememory cell operation performing electron tunnel injection.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatilememory cell operation performing band-to-band hot electron injection.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatilememory cell operation performing hole tunnel injection.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatilememory cell operation performing band-to-band hot hole injection.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatilememory cell operation performing band-to-band sensing with differentamounts of net positive or net negative charge characterizing the chargestorage structure.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatilememory cell operation performing band-to-band sensing with differentamounts of net positive or net negative charge characterizing the chargestorage structure, but with a different diode node arrangement than inFIGS. 10A and 10B.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are simplified diagrams of neighboring gated diodenonvolatile memory cells, with and without interconnected second nodes.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diodenonvolatile memory cells with interconnected second node columns,performing band-to-band sensing.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diodenonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second node columns,performing band-to-band sensing.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diodenonvolatile memory cells with interconnected second node columns,performing band-to-band sensing, where the doping arrangement of thediode structures is different from FIGS. 13A, 13B, 14A, and 14B.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diodenonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second node columns,performing band-to-band sensing, where the doping arrangement of thediode structures is different from FIGS. 13A, 13B, 14A, and 14B.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are simplified diagrams of neighboring gated diodenonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in whichelectron tunnel injection is performed on selected cells.

FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 18C are simplified diagrams of neighboring gateddiode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, inwhich band-to-band hot hole injection is performed on selected cells.

FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19C are exploded view diagrams of multiple arrays ofgated diode nonvolatile memory cells, with different interconnections ofthe word lines, first node columns, and second node columns, betweendifferent arrays.

FIG. 20 is a simplified diagram of an integrated circuit with an arrayof gated diode nonvolatile memory cells and control circuitry.

FIGS. 21A-21H illustrate a sample process flow for multiple arrays ofgated diode nonvolatile memory cells.

FIGS. 22A and 22B are simplified diagrams of neighboring gated diodenonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in whichband-to-band sensing is performed on selected cells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell.Nodes 102 and 104 form a diode separated by a junction. A combinedcharge storage and dielectric structure 106 substantially surrounds thefirst diode node 102. The combined charge storage and dielectricstructure 106 is also partly adjacent to the second diode node 104. Inthis cross-sectional view, dielectric 110 on either side of the seconddiode node 104 isolates the second diode node 104 from neighboringdevices, such as other gated diode nonvolatile memory cells.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are simplified diagrams of a gated diodenonvolatile memory cell, showing various charge storage structureshaving different materials. In FIG. 2A, a charge trapping materialstructure 202 locally stores charge, schematically shown here aspositive charge on the portion of the charge trapping material near thediode junction. Oxide structures are between the charge trappingmaterial structure 202 and the gate structure, and between the chargetrapping material structure 202 and the diode structure. Representativedielectrics between the charge trapping material structure 202 and thegate structure include silicon dioxide and silicon oxynitride having athickness of about 5 to 10 nanometers, or other similar high dielectricconstant materials including for example Al₂O₃. Representative betweenthe charge trapping material structure 202 and the diode structureinclude silicon dioxide and silicon oxynitride having a thickness ofabout 2 to 10 nanometers, or other similar high dielectric constantmaterials.

Representative charge trapping structures include silicon nitride havinga thickness of about 3 to 9 nanometers, or other similar high dielectricconstant materials, including metal oxides such as Al₂O₃, HfO₂, andothers.

In some embodiments, the gate structure comprises a material having awork function greater than the intrinsic work function of n-typesilicon, or greater than about 4.1 eV, and preferably greater than about4.25 eV, including for example greater than about 5 eV. Representativegate materials include p-type poly, TiN, Pt, and other high workfunction metals and materials. Other materials having a relatively highwork function suitable for embodiments of the technology include metalsincluding but not limited to Ru, Ir, Ni, and Co, metal alloys includingbut not limited to Ru—Ti and Ni—T, metal nitrides, and metal oxidesincluding but not limited to RuO₂. High work function gate materialsresult in higher injection barriers for electron tunneling than that ofthe typical n-type polysilicon gate. The injection barrier for n-typepolysilicon gates with silicon dioxide as the outer dielectric is around3.15 eV. Thus, embodiments of the present technology use materials forthe gate and for the outer dielectric having an injection barrier higherthan about 3.15 eV, such as higher than about 3.4 eV, and preferablyhigher than about 4 eV. For p-type polysilicon gates with silicondioxide outer dielectrics, the injection barrier is about 4.25 eV, andthe resulting threshold of a converged cell is reduced about 2 voltsrelative to a cell having an n-type polysilicon gate with a silicondioxide outer dielectric.

FIG. 2B shows a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell resembling the gateddiode nonvolatile memory cell of FIG. 2A, but with a floating gate 204,often made of polysilicon. FIG. 2C shows a gated diode nonvolatilememory cell resembling the nonvolatile memory cell of FIG. 2A, but witha nanoparticle charge storage structure 206.

Each charge storage structure can store one bit or multiple bits. Forexample, if each charge storage structure stores two bits, then thereare four discrete levels of charge stored by the gated diode nonvolatilememory cell.

In some embodiments, programming refers to making more positive the netcharge stored in the charge trapping structure, such as by the additionof holes to or the removal of electrons from the charge storagestructure; and erasing refers to making more negative the net chargestored in the charge storage structure, such as by the removal of holesfrom or the addition of electrons to the charge trapping structure.However, in other embodiments programming refers to making the netcharge stored in the charge storage structure more negative, and erasingrefers to making the net charge stored in the charge storage structuremore positive. Various charge movement mechanisms are used, such asband-to-band tunneling induced hot carrier injection, E-field inducedtunneling, and direct tunneling from the substrate.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are simplified diagrams of a gated diodenonvolatile memory cell, showing various examples of a diode structure,such as the pn diode and the Schottky diode. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, thediode structure is a pn diode. In FIG. 3A, the first node 302substantially surrounded by the combined charge storage and dielectricstructure is doped n-type, and the second node 304 is doped p-type. Thegated diode nonvolatile memory cell of FIG. 3B interchanges the nodematerials of FIG. 3A, such that the first node 312 substantiallysurrounded by the combined charge storage and dielectric structure isdoped p-type, and the second node 314 is doped n-type. In FIGS. 3C and3D, the diode structure is a Schottky diode. In FIG. 3C, the first node322 substantially surrounded by the combined charge storage anddielectric structure is a metal material, and the second node 324 is asemiconductor material. The gated diode nonvolatile memory cell of FIG.3D interchanges the node materials of FIG. 3C, such that the first node332 substantially surrounded by the combined charge storage anddielectric structure is a semiconductor material, and the second node334 is a metal material.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatilememory cell, showing examples of a pn diode with a homojunction. In FIG.4A, both the first node 402 and the second 404 of the diode structureare silicon. In FIG. 4B, both the first node 412 and the second 414 ofthe diode structure are germanium. Because of the smaller bandgap ofgermanium compared to silicon, the gated diode nonvolatile memory celltends to generate a greater band-to-band current with the configurationof FIG. 4B than with the configuration of FIG. 4A. Regardless of thematerial used in the homojunction diode structure, the diode structurecan be single crystal or polycrystalline. A polycrystalline designresults in higher memory cell density, due to the ability to depositmultiple layers of memory cells in the vertical direction.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell,showing an example of a pn diode with a heterojunction. The first node502 substantially surrounded by the combined charge storage anddielectric structure is germanium. The second node 504 is silicon. Thefirst node 502 and the second node 504 are joined by a graded transitionlayer junction 506.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatilememory cell operation performing electron tunnel injection. In FIG. 6A,the electron tunnel injection mechanism moves electrons from the gatestructure 608 biased at −10 V to the charge storage structure 606. Thefirst diode node is biased at 10 V or is floating, and the second diodenode 604 is biased at 10 V. In FIG. 6B, the electron tunnel injectionmechanism moves electrons from the first diode node 602 biased at −10 Vor is floating, to the charge storage structure 606. The gate structure608 is biased at 10 V, and the second diode node 604 is biased at −10 V.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatilememory cell operation performing band-to-band hot electron injection. InFIG. 7A, the band-to-band hot electron injection moves electrons fromthe diode structure to the charge storage structure 606. The n-typefirst diode node 602 biased at 0 V, the gate structure 608 is biased at10 V, and holes of the resulting electron-hole pairs flow into thep+-type second node 604 biased at −5 V. In FIG. 7B, the band-to-band hotelectron injection moves electrons from the diode structure to thecharge storage structure 606. The n-type second diode node 604 biased at0 V, the gate structure 608 is biased at 10 V, and holes of theresulting electron-hole pairs flow into the p+-type first node 602 isbiased at −5 V.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatilememory cell operation performing hole tunnel injection. In FIG. 8A, thehole tunnel injection mechanism moves holes from the gate structure 608biased at 10 V to the charge storage structure 606. The first diode nodeis biased at −10 V or is floating, and the second diode node 604 isbiased at −10 V. In FIG. 8B, the hole tunnel injection mechanism movesholes from the first diode node 602 biased at 10 V or is floating, tothe charge storage structure 606. The gate structure 608 is biased at−10 V, and the second diode node 604 is biased at 10 V.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatilememory cell operation performing band-to-band hot hole injection. InFIG. 9A, the band-to-band hot hole injection moves holes from the diodestructure to the charge storage structure 606. The p-type first diodenode 602 is biased at 0 V, the gate structure 608 is biased at −10 V,and electrons of the resulting electron-hole pairs flow into the n+-typesecond node 604 is biased at 5 V. In FIG. 9B, the band-to-band hot holeinjection moves holes from the diode structure to the charge storagestructure 606. The p-type second diode node 604 is biased at 0 V, thegate structure 608 is biased at −10 V, and electrons of the resultingelectron-hole pairs flow into the n+-type first node 602 biased at 5 V.

Band-to-band currents flowing through the diode structure determine thecharge storage state of the charge storage structure with greatprecision, due to combined vertical and lateral electrical fields.Larger vertical and lateral electrical fields give rise to largerband-to-band currents. A bias arrangement is applied to the variousterminals, such that the energy bands bend sufficiently to causeband-to-band current in the diode structure, while keeping the potentialdifference between the diode nodes sufficiently low enough such thatprogramming or erasing does not occur.

In example bias arrangements, the diode structure is reverse biased.Additionally, the voltage of the gate structure causes the energy bandsto bend sufficiently such that band-to-band tunneling occurs through thediode structure. A high doping concentration in the one of the diodestructure nodes, with the resulting high charge density of the spacecharge region, and the accompanying short length of the space chargeregion over which the voltage changes, contributes to the sharp energyband bending. Electrons in the valence band on one side of the diodestructure junction tunnel through the forbidden gap to the conductionband on the other side of the diode structure junction and drift downthe potential hill, deeper into the n-type diode structure node.Similarly, holes drift up the potential hill, away from either n-typediode structure node, and toward the p-type diode structure node.

The voltage of the gate structure controls the voltage of the portion ofthe diode structure by the dielectric structure which is between thediode structure and the charge storage structure. As the voltage of thegate structure becomes more negative, the voltage of the portion of thediode structure by this dielectric structure becomes more negative,resulting in deeper band bending in the diode structure. Moreband-to-band current flows, as a result of at least some combinationof 1) an increasing overlap between occupied electron energy levels onone side of the bending energy bands, and unoccupied electron energylevels on the other side of bending energy bands, and 2) a narrowerbarrier width between the occupied electron energy levels and theunoccupied electron energy levels (Sze, Physics of SemiconductorDevices, 1981).

The net negative or net positive charge stored on the charge storagestructure further affects the degree of band bending. In accordance withGauss's Law, when a negative voltage is applied to the gate structurerelative to the diode structure, a stronger electric field isexperienced by portions of the diode structure which are near portionsof the charge storage structure having relatively higher net negativecharge. Similarly, when a positive voltage is applied to the gatestructure relative to the diode structure, a stronger electric field isexperienced by portions of the diode structure which are near portionsof the charge storage structure having relatively higher net positivecharge.

The different bias arrangements for reading, and bias arrangements forprogramming and erasing, show a careful balance. For reading, thepotential difference between the diode structure terminals should notcause a substantial number of charge carriers to transit a dielectric tothe charge storage structure and affect the charge storage state. Incontrast, for programming and erasing, the potential difference betweenthe diode structure terminals can be sufficient to cause a substantialnumber of carriers to transit a dielectric and affect the charge storagestate by band-to-band hot carrier injection.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatilememory cell operation performing band-to-band sensing with differentamounts of net positive or net negative charge characterizing the chargestorage structure. In FIGS. 10A and 10B, band-to-band sensing mechanismcreates electron-hole pairs in the diode structure. Resulting electronsflow into the n+-type first diode node 602 biased at 2 V, and resultingholes flow into the p-type second diode node 604 biased at 0 V. The gatestructure 608 is biased at −10 V. In FIG. 10A, the charge storagestructure 606 stores relatively more negative net charge by the diodestructure junction between the n+-type first diode node 602 and thep-type second diode node 604. In FIG. 10B, the charge storage structure606 stores relatively more positive net charge by the diode structurejunction between the n+-type first diode node 602 and the p-type seconddiode node 604. Greater band bending in the diode structure occurs inFIG. 10A than in FIG. 10B, and greater band-to-band sensing currentflows in FIG. 10A than in FIG. 10B.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatilememory cell operation performing band-to-band sensing with differentamounts of net positive or net negative charge characterizing the chargestorage structure, but with a different diode node arrangement fromFIGS. 10A and 10B. In particular, the first node 602 of the diodestructure substantially surrounded by the combined charge storage anddielectric structure is p+-type, and the second node of the diodestructure 604 is n-type. The band-to-band sensing mechanism createselectron-hole pairs in the diode structure. Resulting holes flow intothe p+-type first diode node 602 biased at −2 V, and resulting electronsflow into the n-type second diode node 604 biased at 0 V. The gatestructure 608 is biased at 10 V. In FIG. 11A, the charge storagestructure 606 stores relatively more negative net charge by the diodestructure junction between the p+-type first diode node 602 and then-type second diode node 604. In FIG. 11B, the charge storage structure606 stores a relatively more positive net charge by the diode structurejunction between the p+-type first diode node 602 and the n-type seconddiode node 604. Greater band bending in the diode structure occurs inFIG. 11B than in FIG. 11A, and greater band-to-band sensing currentflows in FIG. 11B than in FIG. 11A.

In other embodiments, the more heavily doped node is the second node ofthe diode structure, and the less heavily doped node is the first nodeof the diode structure substantially surrounded by the combined chargestorage and dielectric structure.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are simplified diagrams of neighboring gated diodenonvolatile memory cells, with and without interconnected second nodes.In FIG. 12A, neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cellsrespectively have second nodes 1204 and 1205. Both second nodes 1204 and1205 of the neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells extendbeyond the oxide which isolates the upper portions of the second nodes1204 and 1205 from each other, and connect into a common node structure1214. This common node structure is treated as a same bit line used byboth neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells. In FIG. 12B, bothsecond nodes 1204 and 1205 of the neighboring gated diode nonvolatilememory cells do not extend beyond the oxide which isolates the secondnodes 1204 and 1205 from each other. Each of the second nodes 1204 and1205 is treated as a distinct bit line, and the two second nodes 1204and 1205 are not treated as a same bit line.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diodenonvolatile memory cells with interconnected second node columns,performing band-to-band sensing. The first node columns of the diodestructures substantially surrounded by the combined charge storage anddielectric structures are n-type, and the second node columns of thediode structures are p-type. Neighboring second node columns of thediode structures extend beyond the oxide which isolates the upperportions of the second node columns from each other, and connect into acommon bit line structure. In FIG. 13A, the first node columns of thediode structures are shown with bit line labels DL1 to DL6, the secondnode columns of the diode structures are shown with the bit line labelCL, and the word lines are shown with word line labels WL1 to WL6. InFIG. 13B, voltages are applied to the diode columns and the word lines.The first node column DL3 is biased at 2 V, and the remaining first nodecolumns are biased at 0 V. The second node columns are biased at 0 V.The word line WL5 is biased at −10 V, and the remaining word lines arebiased at 0 V. A band-to-band sensing operation is thereby performed onthe gate diode memory cell at the intersection of word line WL5 and thefirst node column DL3. By measuring the current flowing through thefirst node column DL3 or the second node columns CL, the charge storagestate of the charge storage structure of that gate diode memory cell isdetermined.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diodenonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second node columns,performing band-to-band sensing. Unlike the interconnected common bitline structure of the second node columns shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, inFIGS. 14A and 14B neighboring second node columns of the diodestructures are treated as distinct bit lines. In FIG. 14A, the secondnode columns of the diode structures are shown with bit line labels CL1to CL6. In FIG. 14B, voltages are applied to the diode columns and theword lines. The first node column DL3 is biased at 2 V, and theremaining first node columns are biased at 0 V. The second node columnsare biased at 0 V. The word line WL5 is biased at −10 V, and theremaining word lines are biased at 0 V. A band-to-band sensing operationis thereby performed on the gate diode memory cell at the intersectionof word line WL5 and the first node column DL3/second node column CL3.By measuring the current flowing through the first node column DL3 orsecond node column CL3, the charge storage state of the charge storagestructure of that gate diode memory cell is determined.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diodenonvolatile memory cells with interconnected second node columns,performing band-to-band sensing, where the doping arrangement of thediode structures is different from FIGS. 13A, 13B, 14A, and 14B. InFIGS. 15A and 15B, the first node columns of the diode structuressubstantially surrounded by the combined charge storage and dielectricstructures are p-type, and the second node columns of the diodestructures are n-type. Like FIGS. 13A and 13B, neighboring second nodecolumns of the diode structures extend beyond the oxide which isolatesthe upper portions of the second node columns from each other, andconnect into a common bit line structure. In FIG. 15A, the first nodecolumns of the diode structures are shown with bit line labels DL1 toDL6, the second node columns of the diode structures are shown with thebit line label CL, and the word lines are shown with word line labelsWL1 to WL6. In FIG. 15B, voltages are applied to the diode columns andthe word lines. The first node column DL3 is biased at −2 V, and theremaining first node columns are biased at 0 V. The second node columnsare biased at 0 V. The word line WL5 is biased at 10 V, and theremaining word lines are biased at 0 V. A band-to-band sensing operationis thereby performed on the gate diode memory cell at the intersectionof word line WL5 and the first node column DL3. By measuring the currentflowing through the first node column DL3 or the second node columns CL,the charge storage state of the charge storage structure of that gatediode memory cell is determined.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diodenonvolatile memory cells without interconnected node columns, performingband-to-band sensing, where the doping arrangement of the diodestructures is like FIGS. 15A and 15B. Unlike the interconnected bit linestructure of the second node columns shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, inFIGS. 16A and 16B neighboring second node columns of the diodestructures are treated as distinct bit lines. In FIG. 16A, the secondnode columns of the diode structures are shown with bit line labels CL1to CL6. In FIG. 16B, voltages are applied to the diode columns and theword lines. The first node column DL3 is biased at −2 V, and theremaining first node columns are biased at 0 V. The second node columnsare biased at 0 V. The word line WL5 is biased at 10 V, and theremaining word lines are biased at 0 V. A band-to-band sensing operationis thereby performed on the gate diode memory cell at the intersectionof word line WL5 and the first node column DL3/second node column CL3.By measuring the current flowing through the first node column DL3 orsecond node column CL3, the charge storage state of the charge storagestructure of that gate diode memory cell is determined.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are simplified diagrams of neighboring gated diodenonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in whichelectron tunnel injection is performed as in FIG. 6A, but on selectedcells. In FIG. 17A, the electron tunnel injection mechanism moveselectrons from the gate structure 608 biased at −10 V to the chargestorage structures 606 and 607. The first diode nodes 602 and 603 arebiased at 10 V or are floating, and the second diode nodes 604 and 605are biased at 10 V. In FIG. 17B, the first diode node 602 is biased at10 V or is floating, but the first diode node 603 is biased at −10 V.The electron tunnel injection mechanism selectively moves electrons fromthe gate structure 608 biased at −10 V to the charge storage structure606 but not to the charge storage structure 607. In other embodiments,the electron tunnel injection mechanism moves electrons from the firstdiode node to the charge storage structure as in FIG. 6B, but onselected cells. In other embodiments, the hole tunnel injectionmechanism moves holes from the gate structure to the charge storagestructure as in FIG. 8A, but on selected cells. In other embodiments,the hole tunnel injection mechanism moves holes from the first diodenode to the charge storage structure as in FIG. 8B, but on selectedcells.

FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 18C are simplified diagrams of neighboring gateddiode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, inwhich band-to-band hot hole injection is performed as in FIG. 9B, but onselected cells. In FIG. 18A, the band-to-band hot hole injectionmechanism moves holes from the diode structure to the charge storagestructure 606. The p-type second diode nodes 604 and 605 are biased at 0V, the gate structure 608 is biased at −10 V, and electrons of theresulting electron-hole pairs flow into the n+-type first nodes 602 and603 biased at 5 V. In FIG. 18B, the first diode node 602 is biased at 5V, but the first diode node 603 is biased at 0 V. The band-to-band hothole injection mechanism selectively moves holes from the diodestructure to the charge storage structure 606 but not to the chargestorage structure 607. FIG. 18C also shows band-to-band hot holeinjection being performed selectively on the diode structure formed bythe first diode node 602 and the second diode node 604, but not on thediode structure formed by the first diode node 603 and the second diodenode 605, as in FIG. 18B. However, in FIG. 18C, the first diode node 603is biased at 5 V and the second diode node 605 is biased at 5 V. Becausea sufficient reverse bias is still absent in the diode structure formedby the first diode node 603 and the second diode node 605, theband-to-band hot hole injection mechanism is still absent in this diodestructure. In other embodiments, the band-to-band hot hole injectionmechanism selectively moves holes from the diode structure with a p-typefirst diode node and a n+-type second diode node to the charge storagestructure as in FIG. 9A, but on selected cells. In other embodiments,the band-to-band hot electron injection mechanism selectively moveselectrons from the diode structure with a p+-type first diode node andan n-type second diode node to the charge storage structure as in FIG.7B, but on selected cells. In other embodiments, the band-to-band hotelectron injection mechanism selectively moves electrons from the diodestructure with an n-type first diode node and a p+-type second diodenode to the charge storage structure as in FIG. 7A, but on selectedcells.

FIGS. 22A and 22B are simplified diagrams of neighboring gated diodenonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in whichband-to-band sensing is performed as in FIGS. 10A and 10B, but onselected cells. In FIG. 22A, the band-to-band hot hole sensing mechanismcreates electron-hole pairs in the diode structure formed by the n+-typefirst diode node 602 biased at 2 V and the p-type second diode node 604biased at 0 V. Resulting electrons flow into the n+-type first diodenode 602, and resulting holes flow into the p-type second diode node604. This band-to-band sensing current indicates the amount of netpositive or net negative charge characterizing the charge storagestructure 606. The gate structure 608 is biased at −10 V. In the diodestructure formed by the n+-type first diode node 603 biased at 6 V andthe p-type second diode node 605 biased at 0 V, a band-to-band sensingcurrent indicating the amount of charge characterizing the chargestorage structure 607 does not flow, because a sufficient reverse biasis absent. FIG. 22B also shows band-to-band sensing being performedselectively on the diode structure formed by the first diode node 602and the second diode node 604, but not on the diode structure formed bythe first diode node 603 and the second diode node 605, as in FIG. 22A.However, in FIG. 22B, the first diode node 603 is biased at 2 V and thesecond diode node 605 is biased at 2 V. Because a sufficient reversebias is still absent in the diode structure formed by the first diodenode 603 and the second diode node 605, the band-to-band sensingmechanism is still absent. In other embodiments, the band-to-bandsensing mechanism selectively flows in a diode structure with a p-typefirst diode node and a n+-type second diode node as in FIGS. 11A and11B, but on selected cells.

FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19C are exploded view diagrams of multiple arrays ofgated diode nonvolatile memory cells, with different interconnections ofthe word lines, first node columns, and second node columns, betweendifferent arrays. Each of the vertically displaced arrays is like thearray shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B. Although the multiple arrays displacedvertically from one another by isolation oxide 1904 are part of the sameintegrated circuit, the multiple arrays are shown in exploded view toshow the labels for all word lines and bit lines of the multiple arrays.

In FIG. 19A, the word lines of different arrays 1900 and 1902 areinterconnected. The word lines of array 1900 and the word lines of array1902 are both labeled WL1 to WL6. However, the first node columns andsecond node columns of different arrays are isolated from each other.The first node columns of array 1900 are labeled DL1 to DL6, and thefirst node columns of array 1902 are labeled DL7 to DL12. The secondnode columns of array 1900 are labeled CL1 to CL6, and the second nodecolumns of array 1902 are labeled CL7 to CL12.

In FIG. 19B, the word lines of different arrays 1910 and 1912 areisolated from each other. The word lines of array 1910 are labeled WL1to WL6, and the word lines of array 1912 are labeled WL7 to WL12.However, the first node columns and second node columns of the differentarrays 1910 and 1912 are interconnected. The first node columns of array1910 and array 1912 are both labeled DL1 to DL6, and the second nodecolumns of array 1910 and array 1912 are both labeled CL1 to CL6.

In FIG. 19C, the word lines of different arrays 1920 and 1922, and thefirst node columns and second node columns of different arrays 1920 and1922, are isolated from each other. The word lines of array 1920 arelabeled WL1 to WL6, and the word lines of array 1922 are labeled WL7 toWL12. The first node columns of array 1920 are labeled DL1 to DL6, andthe first node columns of array 1922 are labeled DL7 to DL12. The secondnode columns of array 1920 are labeled CL1 to CL6, and the second nodecolumns of array 1922 are labeled CL7 to CL12.

In other embodiments, the multiple arrays have interconnected secondnode columns, such that a particular array of the multiple arrays has acommon bit line structure for the second node columns of that array, oralternatively, for all of the arrays. In other embodiments, the firstnode columns are n-type and the second columns are p-type.

FIG. 20 is a simplified diagram of an integrated circuit with an arrayof gated diode nonvolatile memory cells and control circuitry. Theintegrated circuit 2050 includes a memory array 2000 implemented usinggate diode nonvolatile memory cells, on a semiconductor substrate. Thegated diode memory cells of array 2000 may be individual cells,interconnected in arrays, or interconnected in multiple arrays. A rowdecoder 2001 is coupled to a plurality of word lines 2002 arranged alongrows in the memory array 2000. A column decoder 2003 is coupled to aplurality of bit lines 2004 arranged along columns in the memory array2000. Addresses are supplied on bus 2005 to column decoder 2003 and rowdecoder 2001. Sense amplifiers and data-in structures in block 2006 arecoupled to the column decoder 2003 via data bus 2007. Data is suppliedvia the data-in line 2011 from input/output ports on the integratedcircuit 2050, or from other data sources internal or external to theintegrated circuit 2050, to the data-in structures in block 2006. Datais supplied via the data-out line 2015 from the sense amplifiers inblock 2006 to input/output ports on the integrated circuit 2050, or toother data destinations internal or external to the integrated circuit2050. A bias arrangement state machine 2009 controls the application ofbias arrangement supply voltages 2008, such as for the erase verify andprogram verify voltages, and the arrangements for programming, erasing,and reading the memory cells, such as with the band-to-band currents.

FIGS. 21A-21H illustrate a sample process flow for multiple arrays ofgated diode nonvolatile memory cells. FIG. 21A shows a structure with ap-type polysilicon layer 2112 on an oxide layer 2104 on a siliconsubstrate 2102. In FIG. 21B, sacrificial oxide 2116 is formed andnitride 2118 is formed. Shallow trench isolation is performed, resultingin multiple p-type polysilicon structures 2113. In FIG. 21C, thesacrificial oxide 2116 and nitride 2118 are removed. The multiple p-typepolysilicon structures 2113 are implanted, resulting in p-type secondnodes 2114 and n+-type first nodes 2121 of the gated diode nonvolatilememory cells. In FIG. 21D, the combined charge storage and dielectricstructure 2123 and gate polysilicon 2132 are formed, completing thefirst array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells. In FIG. 21E,another layer of oxide 2104 and another layer of p-type polysilicon 2112are formed. In FIGS. 21F-21H, the steps of FIGS. 21B-D are substantiallyrepeated to form another array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cellsthat is displaced vertically from the first array.

While the present invention is disclosed by reference to the technologyand examples detailed above, it is to be understood that these examplesare intended in an illustrative rather than in a limiting sense. It iscontemplated that modifications and combinations will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, which modifications and combinations will bewithin the spirit of the invention and the scope of the followingclaims.

1. A nonvolatile memory device integrated circuit storing data,comprising: a charge storage structure; one or more storage dielectricstructures at least partly between the charge storage structure and adiode structure, and at least partly between the charge storagestructure and a source of gate voltage; the diode structure having afirst node and a second node separated by a junction, the first node andthe second node being at least partly adjacent to the one or morestorage dielectric structures, and the diode structure having across-section in which the second node has opposite sides isolated fromneighboring devices by isolation dielectric.
 2. The device of claim 1,further comprising: logic applying a bias arrangement to determine acharge storage state of the charge storage structure and measuringcurrent flowing through the diode structure in reverse bias to determinethe charge storage state of the charge storage structure.
 3. The deviceof claim 1, wherein in a read current flowing through the diodestructure in reverse bias determines a charge storage state of thecharge storage structure.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein aband-to-band read current flowing through the diode structure in reversebias determines a charge storage state of the charge storage structure.5. The device of claim 1, wherein the second node is connected to theneighboring devices via a second node of each of the neighboringdevices.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the second node is connectedto a bit line distinct from bit lines connected to second nodes of theneighboring devices.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the diodestructure is a Schottky diode.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein thediode structure is a pn diode.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein thejunction of the diode is a homojunction.
 10. The device of claim 1,wherein the junction of the diode is a heterojunction.
 11. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the junction of the diode is a graded heterojunction.12. The device of claim 1, wherein the charge storage structure includesfloating gate material.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the chargestorage structure includes charge trapping material.
 14. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the charge storage structure includes nanocrystalmaterial.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein each charge storage statestores one bit.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein each charge storagestate stores multiple bits.
 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the diodeis at least one of monocrystal, polycrystal, and amorphous.
 18. A methodof manufacturing nonvolatile memory device integrated circuit storingdata, comprising: providing a charge storage structure; providing one ormore storage dielectric structures at least partly between the chargestorage structure and a diode structure, and at least partly between thecharge storage structure and a source of gate voltage; and providing thediode structure having a first node and a second node separated by ajunction, the first node and the second node being at least partlyadjacent to the one or more storage dielectric structures, and the diodestructure having a cross-section in which the second node has oppositesides isolated from neighboring devices by isolation dielectric.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising: providing logic applying a biasarrangement to determine a charge storage state of the charge storagestructure and measuring current flowing through the diode structure inreverse bias to determine the charge storage state of the charge storagestructure.
 20. A nonvolatile memory device integrated circuit storingdata, comprising: a charge storage structure means; one or more storagedielectric structure means at least partly between the charge storagestructure means and a diode structure means, and at least partly betweenthe charge storage structure means and a source of gate voltage; thediode structure means having a first node and a second node separated bya junction, the first node and the second node being at least partlyadjacent to the one or more storage dielectric structure means, and thediode structure means having a cross-section in which the second nodehas opposite sides isolated from neighboring devices by isolationdielectric means
 21. The device of claim 20, further comprising: logicmeans applying a bias arrangement to determine a charge storage state ofthe charge storage structure means and measuring current flowing throughthe diode structure means in reverse bias to determine the chargestorage state of the charge storage structure means.